Digital projects shine amid Golden Globes nominations

Although Netflix's Beasts of No Nation was shut out of the best picture category, digital TV series performed better than ever.

The 2015 Golden Globe nominations have been announced, and the list of nominees provides irrefutable proof of the growing status of digital-only content within the world of television and film.

VOD favorites favorites, and past Golden Globe winners, such as Transparent, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards once again claimed high-profile nods from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Transparent, an Amazon original, and Netflix’s Orange is the New Black were both nominated for best series (musical or comedy) alongside traditional TV offerings, with additional acting nominations for Judith Light (Transparent) and Uzo Abuda (Orange is the New Black). Netflix mega-hit House of Cards received a nomination for actor Robin Wright’s performance as Claire Underwood in the best lead actress (drama) category.

This is also a year of firsts for digital originals at the Globes.

Hulu won its first nomination (best comedy series) for its new comedy, Casual. In fact, for best television series (musical or comedy), only one linear show (HBO’s Veep) was among the nominees. Veep will compete against representatives from every major SVOD: Orange is the New Black, Casual, Transparent and Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle. Netflix’s Narcos was also nominated for best television series in the drama category.

Acting categories were also ripe with digital talent. On top of Wright, Abuda and Light’s nominations, Wagner Moura of Narcos, Aziz Ansari of Master of None (Netflix) andGael Garcia Bernal of Mozart in the Jungle also received acting nominations in their respective categories.

In the feature film category, Netflix’s Beasts of No Nation received a nod for best lead actor in a drama (Idris Elba). The film did not receive a best picture nod, however, which may come as a disappointment to the SVOD, which has strategically chosen to distribute the film in theaters to make it eligible for awards such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars.

In total, digital originals account for 12 nominations at this year’s Golden Globes, almost double from last year’s list.

Last year’s nominations included seven digital nominees and three winners: Transparent for best musical or comedy series, Kevin Spacey for his leading role in House of Cards and Jeffrey Tambor for his role in Transparent.

At September’s Emmy award ceremony, digital originals had their best showing at the ceremony yet. Transparent won five total awards, including acting awards for series star Jeffrey Tambor and guest actor Bradley Whitford, Reg E. Carthey took home an award for his appearance in House of Cards, and Abuda was awarded for her portrayal of Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange is the New Black.